Obama Sets Sights on Wavering Democrats

(CBS/ AP)  Days away from a make-or-break vote on his health care overhaul, President Barack Obama is turning up the pressure as only presidents can, as Democratic leaders make a desperate scramble for votes.

President Obama is confident that the votes are there but a number of Democrats are worried that a "yes" vote will hurt their 2010 election chances, a topic sure to come up when Mr. Obama meets with DNC Chairman Tim Kaine later Tuesday, CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports.

The president is wooing freshman Democrats in the Oval Office, holding at least two one-on-one sessions in the past few days that never appeared on his official schedule, according to aides to two lawmakers invited, Reps. Scott Murphy, D-N.Y., and Suzanne Kosmas, D-Fla.

Both voted "no" when the legislation passed the House on the first go-round last year, but now they're not ruling out siding with the president and Democratic leaders on what's expected to be a cliffhanger vote in the House later this week.

Another lawmaker who opposed the legislation last year, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, flew with Mr. Obama on Air Force One to an Obama appearance in Kucinich's district Monday. Kucinich, was against the bill because he wants a larger government role in health care, also is not ruling out voting "yes" this time.

Obama Seeks "Courage" from Kucinich

With a number of anti-abortion Democrats expected to defect over provisions they contend allow federal funding of abortion, every vote will count for Democratic leaders, who need to win over lawmakers who opposed the legislation the first time - and keep reluctant supporters on board in the face of escalating attacks. Sweetening the pot, those who vote with the president may get more help from him in the future: Party officials said that in determining how to allocate Mr. Obama's time for campaign stops or other events, a vote on something like health care would be a consideration.


House Democrats triggered the countdown Monday for the climactic vote, with the House Budget Committee agreeing 21-16 to fast-track rules for the health bill, a necessary first step before floor action. Even so, the legislation remained incomplete. House Democrats caucused Monday evening, and a number of rank-and-file lawmakers straggled out discouraged that they still didn't have final legislative language or a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office.

Confused about health care reform? Email us your questions and CBS News will try to answer them in the days ahead.

Leaders hope to get both those things Tuesday. Until then there's only so much they can do to pin down wavering lawmakers who will soon be asked to make one of the riskiest votes of their careers.

"There's no decision yet on what the process is going to be, there's nothing back from the CBO, there's no commitment yet from the Senate that they can get 51 votes, and there's no bill to show me what it's in it," said Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., a freshman who voted "yes" last year and has been targeted by Republicans. "So until those things get resolved I'm staying uncommitted."

• Quick Poll

Will President Obama line up the votes in the House to pass health reform?
 Yes
 No
 Too Close to Call

Democratic leaders sounded notes of optimism anyway.

"When we bring the bill to the floor, then we will have the votes," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Mr. Obama said in an interview with ABC News: "I believe we're going to get the votes. We're going to make this happen."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

In order to avoid a Republican filibuster in the Senate, the House will be voting to approve the Senate's health overhaul bill, along with a package of fixes to change things House Democrats didn't like, such as a tax on high-value insurance plans. That fix-it package can pass the Senate with a simple majority, a necessary approach because Republicans are unanimously opposed and Democrats control only 59 Senate votes, one short of the 60 needed to block a filibuster.

A complicated procedure is being contemplated for the House floor, too, one that would shield lawmakers from having to vote directly on the Senate bill, allowing them to instead approve a rule for debate that would deem the Senate bill passed once the fix-it bill has passed.

Outside interests on both sides turned up the heat.

Union groups and other supporters announced a $1.3 million advertising campaign urging 17 House Democrats to vote for the measure, and officials at the Service Employees International Union threatened to withdraw support from Democrats who vote against the bill.

The National Right to Life Committee, which opposes abortions, wrote to lawmakers that support for the Senate bill would be a "career-defining pro-abortion vote." Although House leaders hope to get the votes they need without changing the abortion language, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said Monday that he'd spoken during the day with Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., leader of a group of anti-abortion Democrats, and would continue their conversations.

It was more than a year ago that Mr. Obama asked Congress to approve legislation extending health coverage to tens of millions who lack it, curbing industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and beginning to slow the growth of health care costs nationally.

Sweeping legislation seemed to be on the brink of passage in January, after both houses approved bills and lawmakers began working out a final compromise. But those efforts were sidetracked when Republicans won a special election in Massachusetts - and with it, the ability to block a vote on a final bill in the Senate.

More Health Care Reform News:

A Big Week for Health Care Reform: What Could Happen Next?
Obama Makes Closing Argument for Health Care Reform
Washington Unplugged: Chip Reid on the Health Care Battle
Bob Schieffer: It May Come Down to Waterboarding

[noloyalisti]

The Bushoccio Crime Family should ALL be in prison. ALL of them.

And the Republicons have no plan to help the people of the United States. They have no health plan, otherwise they would have done something when they had the power. They want a feudal state with feudal lord telling them what to do and what to think.

Never, ever, vote for a Republican. And "moderate" Democrats are actually Republicans.

[noloyalisti]

Obama let Congress write the bill and he will review it after it passes. I have heard that it mandate that 85% of the money collected by the "health" insurance corporations be used for medical care (as opposed to the current 70%). It also does not let the uncaring corporations charge more for a 50 year old woman who has a pre-existing condition that a 50 year old woman who does not.

Plus the failed Republican Party hates it so it must do some good for the people.

[mmvale]

Last night Obama admitted he doesn't know what's in the bill.
Do you know?

[noloyalisti]

This is a rich big corporation written bill but then all of our laws are written by the big corporations.

The bill is worth supporting JUST BECAUSE the Republicans are against it. And it does start to control the runaway "health" insurance monopoly. Also stops them from running their corporate death panels.

[riptide213]

Sets Sights on Wavering Democrats. Sounds like hunting in a pack.

Predators sorry politicians always target the youngest, oldest, weakest, wavering or sickest prey available weeding out party unfaithful or inadequate specimens toward the pack cause.

To make successful kill sorry legislation passage politicians must pursue prey often for many hours, days, or weeks.

Politicians have been observed chasing prey for miles and at other times lobbying them for hours before finally coming out victorious.

It is only by working together in a functioning political party that fervent politicians are ever successful on a hunt. Without cooperation of each member the pack would surely fail.

Throughout all legislation seasons the pack assists one another, through anxiety and happiness through hard times and good.

[e-green]

Health Care reform - that's only one of President Obama's goals.
He will get the votes for this bill. We will have a national health
care plan and the insurance companiew won't like it but so many will
be covered. It's easy to roll over the Republicans and have our
way since we far out number the rich and this country was ment to
progress beyond affordable health care for the few. Let's see what's
next on the president's list ...

[iirishamerican]

yeah lets see what else he wants to control so people have to depend on goverment for everything just to survive.

[miami_don]

by iirishamerican March 18, 2010 1:36 PM EDT
yeah lets see what else he wants to control so people have to depend on goverment for everything just to survive.
________________

Do you really believe yourself? How do you figure Health Care Reform will make you dependant on the goverment? Oh, I understand; you feel it is better to be dependant on an insurance company? Now that is an interesting theory.

[MPHgrad]

While I certainly do not think this bill is the magic pill that will fix all health related ills, I do take issue with the comments suggesting that this bill is designed to give to those "who produce little to nothing." There are many people who are far more productive than those with six figure salaries who either have no health insurance or are under insured. It is much easier to disregard these people as lacking in motivation or self-sufficiency because it exculpates those who would rather ignore their plight in preference to their own greed and sanctimonious disposition. There are certified nurse assistants who make $8.-12/hour taking care of your elderly--hard work, I volunteered in nursing home in high school. There are school cafeteria workers and custodians who work diligently to provide food and clean facilities for your children who also top out at $25k/year. These people have families and work harder than many, and yet, someone seriously thinks these people don't deserve affordable health insurance. Really? Are there people who mooch off the system? Certainly, but those people will find a way not to work and to take regardless of whether this bill passes. They already have; they adapt easily. So think about the hospital orderlies who clean your spilled blood, vomit, and feces who only get paid $10.00 an hour before you join in the mindless chants of "this is just a give out to the lazy people." Think two or three times about whom you are calling lazy.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Empire-George-,
Here's the news I have for you...
I know this has nothing to do with the story but...
My name is Chad. I am the original owner of this profile. Due to surgical complications, Robert, who is my grandfather and the man you have been talking too has passed away. He spoke pretty highly of you every now and then, so I thought I'd tell you. I have a class at school where I'm in a computer lab from 1:47 to 3, so I can talk to you, but since I'm in a class I don't know how often I'll be able to. He would've wanted you to know about him. I placed this comment on friday's most popular story but I guess you didn't see it. I put in your user name and the date, so that's how I saw your comment. I hope you see this comment. I've been trying to get this to you, but I guess we aren't on here at the same times. I hope to talk with you when you eventually get this.

[Empire-George-]

by RedWings_ninety_one March 17, 2010 1:58 PM EDT

Well thank you Chad for informing me of what happened to your Grandfather....It is very sad indeed to hear, and I quite enjoyed your grandpa's "old school" viewpoints and was amazed to hear that he had just turned 88, and his vast military career experience....the last thing we spoke about, was he asked me if I would "comply" (LOL) and help vote for his grandson's Sponsafier car..Is that you, Chad ?.....I have voted and often, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like the car will win, given some cars have 50,000 votes....to your 80 votes.

Anyway, If you can tell your family, that I was just a commentator on the CBS website, however I was greatly touched by the short time, I was able to conversate with your Grandfather and he will be missed....Empire-George- (aka Joe)

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Thank you for your sympathy. And yes that was my car. My efforts to keep restarting the computer and voting are futile. About 75% of those votes are mine. Thank you, and I hope to keep chatting with you in the future. But, unfortunately I have 2 minutes left in this class so I have to go. I'll try to talk to you tomorrow.

[noloyalisti]

SOrry, I had to repeat this. Some jerk decided to use this blog to sell stuff.

This bill is only modest HEALTH INSURANCE reform. It is basically a Republican (Big Corporation) bill.

What we really need is COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE reform since our system is so badly rated and overpriced.

We need to have a universal single payer system, completely government run. Take profit completely out where it should not be. That is the only thing that will really save American Health Care.

[JudM]

Where have you been? If you have access to any news I suggest you try to get a copy of the 7 hour health care summit. Then get a comparison of the minutes that Obama, Democrats and Republicans were allowed to speak. You might be shocked (though I doubt it) at the fact that Republicans were allowed the least amount of time of either the Democrats or Obama himself . . . in fact, less than half. It was not an effort to provide Republicans any input into health care, it is what it's been all along; shoving a bill down America's throat that is ill-conceived, poorly managed, undeniably unaffordable and so full of deals that it should make you as a citizen sick! I am a registered Democrat and am embarassed by my party's behavior. A vote for a plane ride on Air Force One . . . give me a break. If it's necessary to go to such extreme measures to get this thing passed, then that's my red flag that something is wrong. Reconciliation / Deeming (Yeah, right) LISTEN TO THIS PEOPLE - Health Care is NOT a partisian issue. If the bill is good for America, then it will be acceptable by both parties. If Congress has agreed on some measures like buying insurance across state lines, then why haven't they already done it? Answer - It's easier to hide rotten eggs in a big package! Wake up and remember what this Democrat is saying - VOTE NO or YOU WILL GO! I'll vote my congressional representation right out of there in the next election and if they aren't an improvement, I'll do it again! Finally, get yourself informed if you're going to put it out there for people to read.

[noloyalisti]

This bill is only modest HEALTH INSURANCE reform. What we really need is COMPREHENSIVE health care reform since our system is so badly rated and overpriced.

We need to have a universal single payer system, completely government run. Take profit completely out where it should not be. That is the only thing that will really save American Health Care.

[doctor_know]

It would be an improvement, yes. It works wonderfully in EVERY other major industrial nation.